ROWING ALONG
AFTER BEATING PENN STATE, THE UNBEATEN GOPHERS LOOK TO KEEP IT GOING AGAINST IOWA
Keys for Minnesota
Maintain momentum: Minnesota’s win over Penn State last Saturday gave the Golden Gophers their first 9-0 start since 1904, and it marked the first time they had beaten a team ranked in the top five since 1977. Minnesota is in rarefied air, with eyes on its first Big Ten West Division title, to say nothing of a College Football Playoff spot. But it all means little of the Gophers can’t finish the job, and it is a task, starting with a game at Iowa, where Minnesota has not won since 1999.
Pressure Stanley: Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford felt the pressure of the Gophers’ defense. They registered only two sacks but pressured Clifford into 22-of-43 passing and collected three interceptions. The Gophers will try to replicate that pressure against Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley.
Keys for Iowa
Start faster: The Hawkeyes have hung with the best teams in the Big Ten but haven’t been able to beat them. Iowa has failed to score a touchdown in the first half of its three Big Ten losses — to Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin — and has averaged only 12.3 points in those games. If the Hawkeyes can set the tone early, they might finally secure a win against a higher-ranked opponent.
Contain Morgan: Iowa’s defense needs to keep Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan contained in the pocket and prevent him from making big plays. The task may be easier said than done, as Penn State learned last week as Morgan went 18-for-20 for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Prediction
Minnesota 24, Iowa 13: Iowa is 0-3 against ranked opponents, which bodes well for the Gophers. The Gophers have lots of confidence following the signature win over Penn State, and that belief should fuel another win as an underdog.